Wellspring Spirituality Center

Wellspring, Fransalian Center for Spirituality, was founded by Fr. Gus Tharappel, blessed by Msgr. Joe Strickland on January 24, 1998. Wellspring began in a small house on Fleishel in Tyler. As the ministry grew and the needs increased it became necessary to move to a more convenient location. Most Rev. Edmond Carmody, then Bishop of Tyler, blessed the present home of Wellspring on Rhones Quarter Road on September 13, 1998.

The main focus of Wellspring is to offer spiritual growth programs. Wellspring offers many programs and opportunities for spiritual growth. Wellspring gratefully acknowledged all who participate in our programs and all who support Wellspring. Wellspring is supported by voluntary contributions from individuals in the community.

What does “Wellspring” have to do with a Center for Spirituality? What does “Wellspring” mean?

WELLSPRING is a name chosen to symbolize the most basic vision of our Center for Spirituality. The choice was based on a core belief that there is, deep within every person, at the core of being, a “wellspring” – a spring that wells up – a source of life, of energy, of spirit, that never dries and that yields more, the more it is tapped.

When Fr. Gus opened a similar Center in India about twenty years ago, the first thing he did was to find a source of water. The water was needed for construction of necessary buildings, for cultivation, development and maintenance of a five acre farm and for the needs of our community. Water was found – a spring – at the depth of two hundred and fifteen feet. The source was not adequate for our purpose. Within a few months use, the spring began to grow and yield more than expected. It began to yield sufficient water to maintain the farm and take care of the needs of a twenty five member community. This is the spring deep within the earth.

Similarly, God has gifted each of us with a “spring” deep within us – a “wellspring “ of goodness, life and love. The more we draw from it the more it will yield life-giving water. Jesus says: “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never be thirsty; no, the water I give shall become a fountain within him, leaping up to provide eternal life” (Jn. 4:14).